Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2013
Numerator for basic earnings per share:
Net earnings	$ 35,642	$ 31,309	$ 61,452	$ 60,240
Adjustment to the numerator for continuing operations and net earnings:
Interest savings assuming conversion of dilutive convertible and exchangeable notes, net of tax	15	44	30	91
Numerator for diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings	$ 35,657	$ 31,353	$ 61,482	$ 60,331
Denominator for basic earnings per share:
Weighted Average Number of Shares Issued, Basic	147,449	143,603	147,444	143,544
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Participating Nonvested Shares with Non-forfeitable Dividend Rights	118	107	117	107
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	147,567	143,710	147,561	143,651
Effect of dilutive securities:
Convertible and exchangeable debt instruments	6,513	7,913	5,647	7,288
Restricted stock units	234	249	222	313
Other	8	8	8	4
Dilutive potential common shares	6,755	8,170	5,877	7,605
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	154,322	151,880	153,438	151,256
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ 0.22	$ 0.42	$ 0.42
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.23	$ 0.21	$ 0.40	$ 0.40
Convertible Senior Debentures 2040 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	0	19,809	0	19,809
Minimum market price of common stock for inclusion of shares issuable upon conversion of subordinated notes for calculation of diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)			$ 13.77
Convertible Senior Debentures 2041 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	7,924	7,885	7,911	7,885
Minimum market price of common stock for inclusion of shares issuable upon conversion of subordinated notes for calculation of diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)			$ 18.87
Convertible Senior Debentures 2042 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Minimum market price of common stock for inclusion of shares issuable upon conversion of subordinated notes for calculation of diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)			$ 11.71
Weighted average employees stock options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	77	77	77	91
Weighted average other [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount (in shares)	161	302	138	412